Asia continues to ascend as an economic powerhouse and a strategic priority for business leaders around the world, yet there is often limited understanding of the human capital systems that fuel the economic engines of the region. This book brings together the perspectives from economics, sociology, and management to highlight the business implications of human capital development in Asia.

This book provides new insights on human capital systems in Asia by considering the country context through a 'Human Capital Ecosystem' framework. Applying this framework, constituent outline, and comparable points across each of the countries in Asia, Smith translates national policies into insights on the drivers, challenges, and opportunities in individual countries. Each chapter also draws out clear business and HR implications based on the above framework and analysis.

While Asia continues to be a critical priority for businesses, there is limited understanding on how to manage and navigate the human capital systems in each of the region’s diverse countries. This book will serve as a helpful reference for managers or supplemental study guide for graduate students working to understand how to execute business strategy in major economies of Asia.

Human capital- the performance and the potential of people in an organisation - has become an increasingly urgent issue for business leaders. Dramatic demographic shifts, the globalisation of organisations, increasing business complexity, and generational differences are causing many organisations to place a more deliberate focus on human capital as a key element in strategic planning and execution. This book helps business leaders determine how to address human capital as part of their business strategy, to drive value and realise the potential of the organisation. Topics are presented clearly, allowing readers to quickly grasp and apply key concepts and ideas. The authors share both their academic research and practical experience from around the world, providing first-hand case studies and examples to help bring theoretical topics to life. With a strong practitioner focus, this book will provide business leaders and HR professionals with new insights into how to improve business performance through a unique, strategic approach to human capital.

Management education growth and the rise in accompanying business schools over the last few decades are fuelled by global economic development, coupled with the promise of success in business careers. Recently,questions have been raised about the value and relevance of a traditional business school education - so what does the future hold for traditional business schools?

In this book, we examine the current model and the pressure points of business schools by considering the evolution of - and the various value chains that are associated with - business school offerings (including MBA, undergraduate, pre-experienced and executive programmes). We also offer insight on funding and value orientation, and the potential challenges these may raise for some schools. To highlight these challenges, we provide a strategic group framework for business schools and review the implications of future strategies for these groups.

Finally, after reviewing the current landscape of business school mergers, alliances and failures, we reflect on innovation considerations for the business school business model. Management education is changing, and business schools must be ready to re-evaluate their strategies for growth and, in some cases, survival.